Giannis Antetokounmpo involved in heated exchange over game ball after record-breaking night for Milwaukee Bucks

A post-game melee over a missing game ball marred a record-breaking showing from Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 64 points as the Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers 140-126 to avenge last week’s In-Season Tournament loss.

After the game Antetokounmpo was seen running down the tunnel as a member of the Bucks tried to hold him back.

Antetokounmpo emerged a minute later and was animated as he spoke to team-mates.

It was revealed afterwards that a Pacers coach had taken the game ball for rookie Oscar Tshiebwe after he scored his first NBA point.

“What happened at the end of the game was unfortunate,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle.

“There was a misunderstanding about the game ball. It was Oscar Tshiebwe’s first NBA point, so we always get the game ball. We were not thinking about Giannis’ franchise record so we grabbed the ball. A couple minutes later several of their players ended up in our hallway and there was a big fracas, melee, whatever.

“I don’t think any punches were landed, but my general manager got elbowed in the ribs by one of their players. He certainly has a bruised rib, but who knows if it’s anything more than that.”

Antetokounmpo said afterwards that he did get a ball, but “it doesn’t feel like the game ball to me”.

“It feels like a brand new ball. I can tell. I played 35 minutes today and I know how the game ball felt,” he added.

“The ball that I have, which I’ll take I’ll give it to my mom, but I don’t know if it’s actually the game ball.

"It's OK, life continues. It's just unfortunate, I've never seen this before."

Bucks guard Cameron Payne said he went down the tunnel to try and get the ball for Antetokounmpo.

“Man wanted that ball,” Payne said.

“I’m following my team, helping my team-mate out. It was just a lot of commotion, honestly. He just wanted his ball, man.”

The game itself heated up towards the end when Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith wrapped up Antetokounmpo and pulled him to the ground, leading to an on-court melee.

Bucks forward Bobby Portis stepped in to defend Antetokounmpo and was ejected not long after following a second technical foul.

Bucks’ Damian Lillard said what happened after the game is just "part of the league".

"That's the gamesmanship, that's the pettiness, it happens," he said. "I didn't think it was that deep but it just turned into a lot of commotion."

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of LeBron James to beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-119.

James sat out with an injury issue, but Anthony Davis stepped up with 36 points and 10 rebounds.

Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points for the Spurs.

The New Orleans Pelicans got a big showing from Brandon Ingram as they won 142-122 against the Washington Wizards.

Missing Zion Williamson due to injury, Ingram scored a season-high 40 points.

Joel Embiid poured in 41 points as the Philadelphia 76ers won 129-11 to send the Detroit Pistons to a 21st straight loss.

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